Sanguine – Gleeful Vampire Jester

In the better days of Sanguine’s life, she had it all: bound to a travelling troupe, all of Tharador was her playground. Lords and ladies, kings and queens, laughed at her wit and antics and showered her with praise and gold. At her side was her partner and lover, though more serious and reserved than herself, it was worked into her act, complimenting each other perfectly to the delight of their audience. So impressive was their act that when performing for the Duke of Strassen, Henrik Strauss, the two were requested to personally enter his employ as his court jesters, for a handsome and regular pay. Sanguine was immediately captured by such an offer, though Melancholy remained more reserved, feeling some sort of ulterior motive at play. Cautiously, he declined the offer, much to Sanguine’s chagrin, citing their contracted obligations to their troupe. Henrik’s solution was to have the troupe killed, and upon showing his dark nature, inflicted both Sanguine and Melancholy with vampirism. They were bound to his desire, and year after year for nearly a century their shows were exclusively held in the confines of his castle, to the delight of the Duke and any guests he hosted. When Henrik’s place was threatened several years ago, Sanguine and Melancholy, alongside a handful of other enthralled servants, escaped in the small window they saw. For weeks they lived in the wilds, their outfits tattered and their thirst for blood beginning to drive them feral. When they came across a young couple one evening making camp by the roadside, they did not hesitate to set upon them like wild dogs, tearing their prey to shreds and gulping down their crimson nectar. For days after, Sanguine remained distant, cold and empty, knowing her humanity had finally gone. Feasting upon living beings was a far cry from drinking out of a goblet, and finally confronted her with the reality she had yet to face for nearly a century. Nothing her partner could do would stave off the sadness, until he took up a new moniker for himself: Melancholy, claiming that he would stow her sadness in his own heart, so she would not have to bear it. It was soon after this that the two were located by Benoit, a general of Baroness Noctra de Blanc who had been scooping up other escapees from Strassen. He offered the pair a home in Castle Beaufax. Sanguine was hesitant to reply to the offer, but knowing they had little other choice, lest they continue to feed upon people like wild beasts, Melancholy took up the generous offer. Now, for half a decade, the two have lived there. Their regular performances at the castle balls are mainstays, and are talked about far beyond the castle walls. Yet for all the joy Sanguine has brought, she is constantly reminded of the lightless eyes of her victims on the side of the road that day, lovers who were simply in the wrong place at the wrong time and paid the ultimate price for it. She wondered, if she were to one day die, how would the divine judge her for such an act?